Spring suspension



2 Sheets-Shet l Aug. 1, 1933. R, T, os'MAN SPRING SUSPENSION Aug. 1, 1933. R. T. osMAN SPRING SUSPENSION Filed May 29, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fifa/if .755MHz wf Patched Aug.'1,f1933 1,920,661 f l SPRING sUsPENsIoN- Ralph T. Osman, Milwaukee, Wiss as'signor to" W Koehring COmDally, Milwaukee, Wis., 4a.Y Corporation Y vimplication May 29,1930.; seriainp. 457,214

giiclaims; (c1. 28o-1106.5)

In traction vehicles employing a supporting frame on which a dump body is mounted, Asuch for example, `as the type of vehicle illustrated 5 in the copending application of RHI", Osman, .Seriall No. 456,417, led `May 28th, 1930, nOW Patent Number 1,865,133,v adapted for elevation to 'dump the contents 'thereof and for utilizing the end of the 'dump body for bulldozing or dirt Vstrike-01T purposes whereinjthesupporting v f Y e frame 1s pivotally carried on a pair ofindependently"movable tractiondevies or crawler mem-1f bers, `itis highly desirable tol provide a resilient yieldable support between lthe main supporting i frame Aand thetraction devices and provide the supporting means so as to equalize the relative movement between `the traction devices incident4 to unevenness of the ground over 'which the Y vehicle may beoperated,l as Well as togprovide means-forabsorbingjthe shocks between the front "ends of the` traction devices andthe front `ofV the main frame incidentV to vertical movement of the traction devices.' g

An object of myV invention Li'sito `provide the p Vehicle frame especially adapted for the pre.

- --viously referred to purposes in which the supporting' frame forthe dump-body is provided:` intermediate its ends witht means for pivotallyv mounting the crawler frames, these crawlerj ,30 frames'being supported ,onthe main frameifor Y .rotation intermediate their ends at a single point.

for oscillation substantially vertical planes parallel with respect to' the `main supporting frame. `I vpreferably desire Ao ofmountithe dump y body on `the main frame substantially to 'one i side of the pivotal connection between vthe crawler frames and the mainframe andarrange 'theline 2--2- of Figur'el.

Figure-f3 is an enlarged;fragirient'ary detailv i Figure'fl is a diagrammatic plan View of vehicle :having ythe-dump body removed `there-j` the enginesor power plants at the oppositeside of its central'support or pivot, whereby the dis'- position of the Weight of the dump body and its l contents has a tendency to fbe counterbalanced by the weightof the engine, and'my arrange-V ment of the location of thepivotal connection of the lcrawler frames intermediate theirk ends is such that the crawler devices extend aqsubw stantial distance on either lside of the pivotal center referred to to provide a substantial traction' support for the vehicle. In. order to support the forward end` of the main frame for iiexibleV yielding engagement with respect t0 the traction Y devicesV carried Yby the crawler" frames and ito permit relative independent `movement ofv they traction devices, I disposeV on the main frame a spring suspension means .which `carries a trans*- Vverse `spring engaging' the free ends of the ,crawler frames. This spring is 'free to oscillate .within :certain limits to permit` the j abovev re-v ferred to'independent oscillationj of the crawler frames with respect to the main frame. l 50 To this end I vhave devised an improved type of spring suspension connecting the front ends of the crawler frames with lthemain'frame. y supporting the dump body which consists offa` combined transverse spring vhousing cross, frame member and pivotal mounting for the dump body; the transversespring housing constitutingmeansf for pivotally 'mounting-a leaf spring intermediate `its ends thereingin .such amanner..that1the the spring `the housing. will limit said'movement. g y, l Another` object of myinvention'isA to Vprovide an -improvedV connection between the "endsy 'of the- Y spring member andthe crawler frames tolprovide` A for a relative `sliding movement therebetween and also lprovide .a chambery in `,which lubricant V'may be contained to supply the contactingmemer bers with thel necessaryy lubrication;Y

- `A furtherobjectoffmy vinvention isfto pro-V my' invention will Vhereinafter become apparent as the description of thek invention proceeds.

housing will protect'th'e spring member andp'err.

' mit 'limited i oscillationfof `the spring. around'` its, pivotal center andupon abnormal mov'ementxofA becoine` 4fjeectiveito 8.01"* vide the combinedspring` housing/with ay hollow` Y bearing member whichmay'alsobe'adapted to:

J For a,l full and .more complete understanding:r

of therinvention,referencefrnay be had' toA the f ollowing `description .and accompanyingr drawings',

Figure 1 `is a sideielevation off an improved. L type of dirt hauling and'dumpingfunit", having Y `my invention applied thereto, the endless traction beltand tumblers b'ing'shownin,dottedlines Figure'2 isa section takenapproximately onu view taken on the'line 3-'3 "of Figure2. f, A

from.'' 1 Figure 5, is a section of the drive unit Throughout the various figures of the'y draw fand following descriptiomflikereferencecharacs 'los ters rdenote corresponding-;parts,V infwhichgthe main frame 1 is providedwithtraction members 2 carried withrespect therfovmarfioatiris] or. v

members '2 comprisel spaced lframe:members' 2b` and 2c 'in which-are `rotatably carried the idler wheels or tumblers v2d for supporting the :tread or belt member `2a. The shafts?,` andv associated parts constitutea driving'unitwhich isoprated l by suitable drive gearing upon vtwin engines cari ried by the rear end ofA the ymain framell.- j j:

' 12. V These arms are apertured and are received Y 6 having its side wallsextending downwardly vas indicated at "I Ato provide a housing lfor the resilient leaf spring 8. The U-shaped channel member 6 has formedthereon at each end thel brackets 9Y for pivotally supporting Vthe durnpv The dump body 10 is carried by a` body 10. fabricatedframe 11 from which extend the arms between the brackets 9 and are'lieldl in pivotal relation thereto by the pins113. The channel member 6* extendsY upwardly intermediate the f' ends thereofand has disposed at the central pcr` .tion a-hollow spring supporting bearing 14; The` E, spring which is used iniconnection with thishoushingxis provided witha curved bearing member as indicated `at.15, 'which is heldin place by the lU-bolts'l.l These U-bolts-'a're received `inthe spring clip V17 having a downwardly extending central, portion 18,'fwhichris aperturedA at, 19 to` receivethe pin 20. The transverse channel 'memberv is provided on its Aupper surface with a transverse groove 21 and a pair of spaced ape'rf.v turedi ears 22forA receiving a pin k23. Link mern-r bers 24'are disposed betweenthe pins 23 and 20 toY maintain thespring in proper operative relation and 'at the same time provideor the relative swinging movement'tof the bearing member 15. v ,Y 1 Y ,k v,

The bearing member V-is of course provided Witlian opening 25 through ywhich lubricant can be. introducedand suitable means for `closing .the

opening are provided suchas shown in'Figure 2,

*The Vsurface .of the spring clip'which engages the spring is curved Yas at 17a` to accommodate the curvedor bent portion 8a of the spring 8. I iilzewise the curved bearing memberklzi's providedwithvthe ,proper curvature on thefside Voppositel the bearing portion. 14'of thetransversehousing.

Q Sincethe intermediate'leaves of the spring are allfcurved on substantially, the'` same center, it; will'be clearlyrseen that'once the springisi'ase sembled kbetween vvthe bearing'jmember A15, and thecli'p l'lgandthe U-bolts .16 are tightened, the

peculiar Yformation ofthe leaves of the` spring.

Will prevent any relative shifting thereof. Fur# Vtherrnoi'ejit will be'observ'ed that` the spring will bevfreely movable around'the bearing member 1,5, limitedof course by the top ,of the inverted channel member 6, and it will valsofbe observed that `fthe. link members 24vwilll support therspring in proper relationto the bearing member l5.f w

.'In order to providev a ,suitabley compensatingl y* bearing for the free ends 8b of the springs 8,1 protraint-1j membersi 2cV of A,the tractionfdevices 2.- These housings :areclosed at their outer end andv are provided'withrbearing members 27, 28 dis- -posedabove and below the spring; TheV bearing 6.5, member 28 may be.separatelyormed adapted forremoval or replacement as seen irl-Figure 2, Whilethe bearing member 2'?, due tothe fact other bearing membenand for-(this reason it is not shown to be of the `removable character. The

Vinner end of the spring end housing is preferably closed: by the flexible boot 29 whichis connected,

, thereto at onerend. and'secured to the spring 8. atfthe other. f t

' movement; i

,y spring on its Referring to Figure 2of the. drawings, it willi be observed tha'tg'the spring memberi. permits*` 'an equalijzing action to occur between'the two tractionrdevi'ces 2 and it will Valso lbeObserved that' the spring member permits independent vertical movement oi the traction deviceswith re-v spect to each other and with respectrto thebody-` lever arm or the spr'ilg to retard such abnormal' It will also -t should also be observed that upon 'abnormal Y movement ofthe traction devices the spring will engage the, housing "-5, thereby shortening i the/ be noted-.that dueto thev peculiar n vl'iousing Aof thespring within theinverted channel` member, the spring is amply protected from'be-.-

coming clogged'with dirt and grit during-,the use Y K of therdirt handling unit. u

Referring lto Figures land 2 of the drawings-Qv it will be seen that the crawler frames aresub-t v stantially triangular inform and the'pivotal-comnection thereof withjthe main frame as'indicated`VVV` 3 is disposed intermediate, the ends'ther'eof' and above the plane extendingbetween th'etwgo"` Y end sA oi the ,crawlerl frame. It will also be observedfthat .this pivotalconnection is "disposed .10o on the main framelintermediate theends-thereI oi and at substantially the center of the-,mains` frame, whilel thel dump body y10 pivotally, .tcarried by the brackets 12 on the mainframe is disposed materially 'to oneside of. the pivotal connection 3,

ferredto. A

, Since eachv of the Ytraction' devices: indicated generally at A,2 osci'llates with thefconnection re-j viierred to as acenter; it should Vbe'observedV that.

when `the truck is loaded,V the majority of, the weight of the vehicle and the load is concentrated on this pivotal center, which of 'coursej permits a fhigh degree of flexibility ofthe tractiondevices with respect toeach` other and the'supporting frame.4 This arrangement makes it possiblexto utilize.' a three-point',suspension for thelgmain "frarnein which thepivotal center of r'the trans- ,verser spring `men'iber constitutes one point. vand the pivotal centers .of'v the tractionrdevic'es clon-d stitute the othertwo points, wherein the'sspringV member islnot necessarily' loaded, permitting 'the' .use of fa lrelatively flexible A,leaf "springV bywhich Patentof the United Stajtesg is ,v Y v l. in a vehicle Vof* theclass described, a ymain frame, a ci endless belt supportingtractionl V f: whereas the engine `or powerplant is A'disposed-'at ,Y the other side .or the pivotal support above reg,

iso

frames pivoted adjacent Aone end gto the mainv Y a uyshapediinverted trinisversev channel member secured to `.the main framejat one .end and provided with'a hollowv bearing member adapted to receive a lubricant, a spring pivotally carried with respect to saidbearin'g member and Y housed by said housing, said spring extending into` said traction frames. and bearing membersicar-v ried by said traction trames for engaging the ends oi? spring. ,Y

2. inY a dirt khandling vehicle of` the/class described, a mainframe including a pair. of spaced channels, a pair attraction devices pivotally secured to said main framel and extending longitu-` dinally thereof,V combined transverse member,Y

and spring housing channel disposed at theends of the main frame to form a connection' therebetween, said spring Vhousing having arbearing centrally. thereof, and a' spring member Vwithin rio i said housing mounted for free limited oscillation on said bearing, and supporting means carried by the traction member for slidable engagement with the ends of the spring.

3. A combined transverses'prng -housing vand cross frame member for vehicles of the class described, said cross frame member being provided with an inverted channel portion adapted to re ceive a leaf spring, the sides of said channel extending downwardly to `partially enclose vthe spring, said channel portion having a curved bearing member disposed centrally thereof, around which the spring, when positioned in the housing, is -adapted to rock, and means on the channel member and arranged concentric with respect to the curved surface of the-bearing portion to constitute a pivotal center for the spring referred to. I'

l 4. In a vehicle of the class described, a1main frame including a pair*of-spacedlongitudinal channel members,` crawler frames pivotallyv disposed adjacentthe longitudinal channel members for independent rocking movement with respect thereto, a combined transverse spring housing and cross frame member connecting the ends of the frame channel, said transverse spring housing including an inverted spring receiving chan-V nel having a curved centrallbearing, .a spring positioned therein, the sidewalls of the channels extending downwardly to partially enclose al spring positioned therein, means disposed on` the exterior of the channel member at the center of curvature of the bearing portion to establisha pivotal center of oscillation of said spring, said' leaf spring having abearing portion arranged to engage the bearing rportion'on the transverse` frame, and a pair of links connecting the spring ing and cross frame member connecting'the ends of the frame channels, said transverse.y spring housing being in the form of an inverted spring receiving channel having'a curved central bear-,

ing, a spring positioned within said housing, the side walls of the channel extending downwardly to partially enclose said spring, means disposed on the exterior of the channel member at the center of curvature of the bearing portion to establish a pivotal center vof oscillation of the spring, said leaf spring having a bearing portion arranged to engage the bearing portion `on the transverse frame, a pair of links connecting the spring with the transverse housing at the `above referred to pivotal center, and `removable. bearing members carried bythe traction devices for en- F gaging and enclosing the free ends of the spring to provide a slidable engagement therebetween. 6. .In a spring suspension for vehicles, a main* frame, crawler frames supported in the` main frame for rotating intermediate their ends at a,

, single point for oscillation in substantially vertical planes parallel to the main frame, a trans-A verse frame member carried by the main frame, a hollow rocker bearing carried by the transverse frame, a leaf spring supported thereon in oscillating relation thereto, said leaf spring having a bearing surface thereon, said hollow rocker.v

bearing being formed with a passageto estabi lish communicationbetween the hollow portion Aof the traction members.

Vtraction members.

of the Lbearing member and the; bearing ,surface for the spring whereby to feed a lubricant when i introduced into the hollow portion' to the bearing surface for the spring, lsaid hollow portion being provided with meansfor introducing a ber forming a housing for the spring. i i

7; In"a spring suspension for vehicles, having a Vmain frame, a` transverse frame member carried by the main frame, spaced traction devices pivotally secured to the main frame adjacent each end of the same and extending longitudinally thereof, a transverse bearing and spring housing member extending between 'the two traction devices and having a'supporting bearing arranged centrally thereof for rocking' engageengagement with'thev bearing vportion of the transverse bearing member, `means for supplying A.

lubricant to the centralfbearing surfaces, anda leaf spring positioned inthe housing member and pivotally carried thereby, the spring having v its ends .extending into the traction devices; Vthe said spring being free to oscillate to allow independent Aoscillation of the traction devices.

' l8. In a vehicle of the classdescribed,r ink combination, a main frame, a pair of independently shiftable traction members pivotedto the main frame intermediate theiendsithereof, a transverse frame member Vconnecting the ends of the ment with the transverseframe member, a hol- Alow bearing'carried by the frame member for main frame together, the transverse frame member constituting a spring housing and a spring member within the housing engaging the traci l otally mounting the traction members on theA main frame to allow independent vertical oscillation devices and theV housing, and means for pivtion `of the traction members. fr

9,. In a vehicle of the class described, a` main Y ried by the main frame for independent oscillaframe, a pair of traction membersl pivotally cartionthereon, a transverse channel member secured to the `end of the mainv frame, the saidy channel member forming a spring housing, a`

spring between the traction devices vand the'` lhousi ng, the springbeing shiftable with respect to the housing and the traction members, "and instrumentalities allowing independent oscillation 10. In a vehicle ofthe class described, incombination,.a mainframe and a pair of independently shiftable `tractionfmembers pivoted tothe transverse'framemember connecting the'ends of the main frame together, *the said transverse .frame member constituting afspring housing and `main frame. intermediate the ends-thereof, a Y

adapted to have pivotally secured thereto a truck'AV .body ladapted `to be carried by the4 main frame, and a spring member within the said housing engaging 'thetraction devices and the said hous` ing. l ,Y y i l1. In a vehicle of the class described, a 4main frame, a pair of traction members pivotally carried by the main frame for independent oscillation thereon,'the mainframebeing adapted to supporta vehicle body at Ione end of the latten'a transverse channel member secured to the endof the main frame and'adapted Vto be pivoted to the;` 1 v i vehicle body when the latter is mounted on the main frame, the channel` member forming a spring housing, and a springbetween the traction devices andthe housing, the said yspring being shiftable with respect to the housing and the RALPH fr. osMAN. l. 1501] i so" v lubricant into the hollow portion,the frame memi 

